Vice-Chair and four Trustees

Organisation Overview

The Criminal Justice Alliance (CJA) advocates for a fair and effective justice system. Our insight come from our members: over 200 non-profit organisations and academics with expertise across the UK justice system. We investigate key issues in criminal justice, co-produce evidence-led briefings and reports with our members to influence policy change. We connect practitioners, academics, the media, people with lived experience and policy makers from across the justice system to hold the government and other institutions to account and to promote power sharing. 

Role Details

Time Commitment: Approx. 1 day per month. Board meetings are held four times a year, with dates agreed at beginning of every calendar year. Board meetings are split between afternoon and early evening time slots to accommodate the various commitments of Trustees and staff attending. The first Board meeting you will be expected to attend will be held on 26 June 2025 (in-person). We also hold an in-person annual staff and trustees away day- it is expected that this will be on 27 June 2025 this year. The Chair and Vice-Chair also hold monthly meetings with the Director. Board members are required to join a Sub-Committee (Finance and Resources Committee or Policy and Communications Committee), which also meets virtually three to four times a year, usually one or two weeks before the Board meetings. Trustees are also encouraged to attend CJA events, e.g. members meetings, CJA Awards and research symposium.

Attendance: Hybrid.

Role Description

Trustees have a collective responsibility for the strategy and work of the charity and for ensuring that it is accountable to its members, the Charity Commission and the public in general. In law, trustees have three particular duties- compliance, care and prudence.

(See also the Charity Commission’s Essential Trustee Guidance)

Key responsibilities

• Contribute actively to the Board’s role in giving strategic direction to the CJA, setting overall policy and defining goals.

• Safeguard the good name and values of the CJA.

• Ensure that the CJA complies with its governing document, charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

• Ensure the financial sustainability of the CJA and that the charity applies its resources exclusively, effectively and efficiently in pursuance of its objectives.

• Ensure that appropriate financial and administrative controls are in place and reviewed regularly.

• Ensure that there is an effective process in place for monitoring and managing risk.

• Devote the necessary time and effort to develop a good understanding of the CJA and its work.

• Ensure that any potential conflicts of interest/loyalty between the CJA and other positions held by trustees are handled appropriately and sensitively.

• Contribute to and help drive improvements in the Board’s own performance ensuring an effective, high-performing team.

• Where appropriate, represent the CJA at meetings and events and act as spokesperson.

• Support the CJA Director and team in fostering relationships with external partners and potential funders/donors.

Required Skills and Experience

The CJA is committed to achieving greater diversity in its trustees and staff, particularly as there are issues affecting individuals from non-majority backgrounds across the criminal justice system. We actively encourage applications from minority ethnic communities and people with protected characteristics. We also welcome applications from younger people and from first-time trustees.

Essential - strong experience in at least one of the following:

• HR/people and culture; fundraising and/or grant-making; strategic communications (branding, marketing, digital); corporate partnerships and/or individual donor engagement; information/digital technology; legal; business management; project management.

• Policy, public affairs, advocacy and/or influencing; ideally in the criminal/social justice/human rights sectors in England and Wales;

• As a practitioner in frontline service delivery organisations in the criminal/social justice/human rights sectors.

Desirable: 

• Expertise of lived experience of the criminal justice system. The CJA adopts a broad definition of lived experience, and includes, for example, experience of people who have been over-policed, have served a prison/community sentence, have been a victim of crime, and/or have family members in prison. We would also be interested in people who have other lived experience which they believe is relevant- please explain in your supporting statement

• Membership of the CJA directly, or of organisations which themselves are CJA members.

• Being based or working in Wales or otherwise outside of London and the South-East.

• Understanding of membership organisations; and/or experience of building partnerships and networks.

• Experience (voluntary or paid) within the criminal or social justice sector at leadership level.

• Solid understanding of good governance practices.

The following skills and attributes are needed:

• Strongly motivated and commitment to the CJA’s aims and values.

• Honesty, integrity and commitment to always act in the best interest of the charity

• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the role.

• Sound independent judgement and strategic vision.

• Ability to think creatively and challenge constructively.

• A collegiate attitude and willingness to work with others.

• Willingness and ability to work in uncertain circumstances and be receptive to change.

• Demonstrable experience and a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and the ability to recognise and effectively challenge discrimination and bias.

To apply for or express an interest in this position, please email bicenquiries@weareadvocate.org.uk